Apple picks up Twitter stat firm Topsy, is it eyeing another go at social?

Per usual, it's all one big mystery

Shares

Put this in 140 characters: Apple has picked up Topsy, a social-media analytics company specializing in data from Twitter.

Word of the "more than $200 million [about £122m, AU$219m] deal" comes from the Wall Street Journal, and Apple confirmed the purchase with its standard "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans" statement.

It's particularly puzzling what Apple has on tap for Topsy. The firm is one of only a few that can access Twitter's "firehose" - every tweet that makes its way to the service.

Topsy's tools, which can track data as far back as 2006, can do everything from sussing out how often a specific term is tweeted to finding influential people on a particular subject. In short, Topsy can mine troves of relevant, marketer-lip-smacking info.

Topsy turvy

There are a few possibilities for what Apple can do with its new plaything.

One option the Journal floated would be for Cupertino to use Topsy's tech for iTunes Radio. Determining and then alerting listeners to trending songs and hot-topic artists sounds right up Topsy's alley.

Data for use in advertising also lives in the land of possibility, especially as Apple's own iAd platform has been met with less than enthusiastic responses from marketers.

Even further afield, Apple could be eyeing another foray into social networking. The now-defunct Ping was a sorry try, but armed with better tools, this turn may stand a better chance at getting off the ground.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

News Editor (US)

As the US News Editor, Michelle (Twitter, Google+) keeps her eye on all things tech with particular interest on phones, tablets and finding out who the people are behind the devices. Any phone that can survive a regular (accidental) drop has her vote for best handset. Michelle previously worked covering local news in the Bay Area and has been with TechRadar since July 2012.